Delivery cooler for packaged goods



Jan. 19, 1943.

W. F ERRIS DELIVERY COOLER FOR PACKAGED GOODS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 12, 1940 I NVEN TOR T ORNE Y.

Jan. 19, 1943. W, Q FERRls i DELIVERY COOLER FOR PACKAGED GooDs Filed Nov. 12, 1940 5 sheets-sheet 2 75 Ilm,

INVEN'ijoR. C'. Fen/v5 TTOHNEY.

Jan. 19, 1943. w. c. FERR@ 2,309,055

DELIVERY COOLER FOR PACKAGED GOODS Filed Nov. l2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 TOHNEYS.

Jan. 19, 1943. v w. c. FERRls 4 509,055

DELIVERY COOLER FOR PACKAGED GOODS' Filed. Nov. l2, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 j@ 3% 4-/ i@ 2m ff/6 Zai/f 20a i@ j m f 206 zw l -2/4 25? 2X4 @q (2d, M201' 'M "lm I #a IIIII. 'Imm llilA 254 y 232 Wd/d/ C `lam. 19, 1943. w. c. FERRls 2,309,055

DEJJIVFRYy COOLER FOR PACKAGED GOOD` Filed NOV. l2, 1940 5 SheetS-Sheel'. 5

Patented Jan. 19, 1943 SATES 'E' O FFIC if.

DELIVERY COOLER FOR PACKAGED GOODS Application November 12, 1940, Serial No. 365,203

' 7 Claims.

This invention relates to package cooling and dispensing means in the nature of a delivery cabinet for bottled goodsparticularly, and the primary object is the provision of a relativelyr small case for the goods, which case has means for permitting the purchaser to select the package to be withdrawn therefrom; means for locking the door to the delivery opening until a coin is moved to place in specially formed coin controlled structure associated with the door; and means for latching the package magazine against movement when the door of the case is open.

I'lns invention has for one of its important aims the provision of a delivery cooler for bottled goods, having parts operable by a coin whereby the door of the cooler is released for opening 'without the employment of expensive, complicated and bulky 'coin chutes or similar mechanism now commonly used on vending equipment.

An even further object of the present invention is the provision oi unique, novel and simple door controlling mechanism for portable delivery coolers, mounted directly upon the case of the cooler to cooperate with specially formed hinging elements for the door, and employing a coin as a unit of the mechanism.

Heretofore, vending machines for bottled goods have been relatively large and equipped with slug ejectors, coin chutes, and other elaborate and expensive apparatus, whereby the machines may be used in a public location Without danger of loss due to tampering and the introduction of pieces of metal other than genuine coins. This invention contemplates the provision of a small portable delivery cooler for packaged goods, which cooler is made to maintain the contents at a desirable, low temperature, yet which has means for permitting the operator to select the desired bottle that may, after selection,

be quickly withdrawn from the cooler when a coin of proper denomination is positioned to become an element of the door hinge itself, and that will serve to release the door lock when the said door is moved -toward the open position.

A delivery cooler made in accordance with the present invention may be moved into an oliice or other place of business after the distributor has charged the cooler with a relatively small number of bottles and enough ice to keep the same cold. It is picked up and replaced after the bottles have been taken therefrom by the employees of the particular oce or place of business. Because the general public does not have access to the cooler, and further, because only employees of any establishment being served with the equipment contemplated use the same, it is unnecessary to utilize expensive coin controlled and slug ejecting apparatus.

Coolers embodying several forms of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a delivery cooler for packaged goods made in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical central sectional View through the cooler.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view through the door of the cooler, taken on line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line IV-IV of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan View of a delivery cooler for packaged goods made to embody a modified form of the invention.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the same taken on line VI-VI of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed sectional view through the cooler shown in Fig. 5, taken on line VII- VII of Fig. 5`.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view oi a portion of the cooler shown in Fig. 5, parts being broken away for clearness.

Fig. 9 is a Vertical sectional view through the door and associated parts, taken online IX-IX of Fig.` 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary elevational View of a portable cooler door and associated mechanism made to embody a still further modification of the invention.

Fig. l1 is a sectional view taken on line XI--XI of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of a portable cooler made to embody a still further modication of the invention.

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional View taken on line XIII-XIII of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a vertical cross sectional View through a portion of the door controlling mechanism taken on line XIV-XIV of Fig. 12.

Fig. 15 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on line XV-XV of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is a detailed sectional view taken on line XVI- XVI of Fig. 13, looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. l to 4 inclusive, the heat insulated case E is relatively small and provided withv a cover 8 through which is formed a delivery opening l0. Cover 8 is hinged as at I2 to case 6 and a lock |4 may be provided to prevent unauthorized entrance into case 8.

The packaged goods in this instance, is shown to be bottled soft drinks of commercial form, and the bottles I6 thereof are arranged in a circular path below delivery opening I8 and in a magazine I8 that is divided into a number of compartments 28, each of which receives a bottle I8.

Magazine I 8 is mounted for rotation upon a rod 22 having a bearing 24 on the bottom of case 6 and to prevent rocking, the edge of magazine I8, remote from rod 22, is equipped with a series of rollers or casters 26.

A cylindrical shell 23 of foraminous material circumscribes magazine I8 to prevent cracked ice 38 from retarding the movement of magazine l when bottles I6 are being disposed beneath door 32 for the purpose of selecting the desired avor.

The door, generally designated by the numeral 32, has a transparent panel 34 therein through which the top of caps 36 on bottles I6 may be viewed. An operating handle 38 secured to stub shaft 40, journalled in cover 8, allows the operator to turn magazine I8. The lower end of stub shaft 40 has a transverse slot 42 therein that receives squared head 44 created on the upper end of rod 22, thus driving connection between and 22 is elected while covering 8 is permitted to swing about hinges I2 when the case is being charged with bottles or ice IS and 38 respectively.

Magazine |8 is provided with a number of perforations 46 so that water resulting from the melting of ice 3U, may rise around bottles I5 to cool the contents thereof.

Door 32 has a knob 48 at the free edge thereof that may be grasped by the operator when the door is to be swung to the open position about the axis of hinge cylinder 58. Hinge cylinder 58 is journalled in bearings 52 mounted directly upon cover 8 through the medium of rivets or the like 54.

Cylinder 50 is integral with door 32 and provided with a specially formed notch 56 that receives coin 58 when it is dropped through slot 58 formed in housing 62. Housing 62 overlies the notched part of cylinder 58 to protect the same and to permit the introduction of coins 58 in the proper manner.

A coin supporting ledge 64 integral with cylinder 50 supports coin 58 until the door is open, as will be more fully hereinafter described.

A plurality of dogs 66 swingably mounted upon pintle 68 and each having a 4cam face 18 formed thereon, lie in the path of travel of flat face 'l2 formed on cylinder U until coin 58 is introduced. Dogs 66 are held by the action of gravity in the position shown in full lines of Fig. 3y A lock 'I4 precludes dropping of dogs 66 farther than the position shown in Fig. 3, but permits the dogs to be lifted by coin 58 when it is in the position illustrated in full lines of Fig. 3.

A chute 'I6 through cover 8 communicates with coin box 'I8 in order that coin 58 may drop into said box when door 32 is lifted to the fully open position.

Latching means for precluding rotation of magazine I8 after door 32 is open, is operated by the door and one embodiment of such means is illustrated in Fig. 3. Magazine I8 has a series of notches 88 to receive rack 82 when any one of bottles I6 is at a station directly beneath delivery opening IU for withdrawal therethrough. Rack 82 is moved downwardly by the rotation of pinion 84 that is rotated about the axis of its supporting shaft as by links sa and sn. The

latter is slotted as at 92 to permit a certain amount of freedom of movement and to establish the proper relation between coin 58, dogs 66, notches and rack 82.

The operation of this delivery cooler for packaged goods has been made clear during the foregoing specication, and it will be obvious to one skilled in the art that when coin 58 is positioned as shown in Fig. 3, the edge thereof will engage cam faces 10 of dogs 66 to lift the same out of the path of travel of a part of the door 32. In this instance, that part is formed on cylinder 58 and is the nat surface 12.

When door 32 has been moved to the completely open position, coin 58 will drop into box 'I8 and when door 32 is returned to its closed position, it cannot again be opened until a coin is dropped through slot 68.

Such construction as has been described and illustrated, may be inexpensively manufactured to permit the use of a large number of coolers without a prohibitive investment. The parts are rugged, durable and not likely to become maladjusted. A suiicient number of bottles I6 may be supplied for the personnel of a given department of a business establishment, for instance, and instead of reloading the cooler at the point of purchase, the cooler in its entirety is taken away for recharging and another left in its place.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, and the numeral |00 designates a case having heat insulated walls within which is rotatably mounted a magazine |82 having walls |04 of foraminous material conlining a number of bottles or packaged goods |86.

Cracked ice |08 may be loaded directly into magazine |82 around bottles |06, if it is desired to lower the temperature rather quickly. As shown in Fig. 6, a screen partition ||0 is also usable to set off a chamber ||2 for cracked ice II4 that is not in direct contact with bottles |06. Such a magazine may be employed in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs, 1 and 2 or as will later become apparent, with the ent panel |26 therein for the purpose of exposing to view, the caps of the bottles |86 as magazine |02 is rotated.

Easy rotation is aorded through the medium of rod |28 journalled in bearing |30 mounted on the bottom of case |08. Handle |32 is swingably attached as at |34 to rod |28 for the purpose of permitting cover 28 to be swung to an open position about hinges |36.

The structure dened to this point and illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 is capable of having associated therewith, door latching parts shown in either Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, Figs. 10 and l1, or Figs. l2 to 16 inclusive.

Referring now to details of construction illustrated in Figs. 5, 8 and 9. Door |24 has a hinge cylinder I 38 longitudinally milled to form a cavity |40 within which is swingably disposed a locking bar |42. One end of bar |42 is pivotally secured in cavity |48 by pintle |44, while the other end thereof is urged outwardly through the medium of spring |43. Hinge cylinder |38 has reduced end portions journalled in bearings |43 mounted directly upon cover |23.

Latch |22, normally edged out of engagement with magazine |32 by spring |53, is beneath arm |52 projecting radially from the axis of hinge cylinder |38. Lifting door |24 will move arm |52 against latch |22 to force the latter into the path of travel of a part of magazine |32 to preclude its rotation when door |24 is open. Locking bar |42 normally overlies the upper face of member |54 beneath shield |33 carried thereby.

Coin plate |53 mounted for rotation on member |54 underlies a sheet of transparent material |60, through which coin receiving slot |62 is formed. Coin plate |53 has a coin receiving cavity |44 to receive the coin |34.

Passage |68 is in communication with coin box |13 mounted on the under side of cover |23. When coin |43 is positioned as seen in Figs. 8 and 9, knob |72 is manipulated to turn thecoin to a point against gro-ved locking bar |42 where the same will be moved inwardly against the force of spring |43 and away from engagement with the top of member |54. In this condition, door |24 may be raised to Withdraw bottle |36 underlying delivery opening H3.

As door |24 is lifted, the coin will be tipped into passage |68 and dropped by gravity into coin box |13. When the door is dropped to the normal closed position, locking bar |42 will be snapped to a place where opening the door cannot again occurl until a coin has forced the bar to the unlocked position.

Figs. and ll embody a modification of the invention but still include the opening of door 233 through a coin of proper denomination dropped through coin slot 232 formed in shield 234 mounted on cover |23.

It is notable that this cover |23 remains the same in form throughout the various modications and that the same has the delivery opening [I8 therein.

Door 233 in this instance however, has a hinge cylinder 243 from which extends ear 233 and upon which is formed a cam face 2|3. An arm 2I2 serves to lock magazine |32 when door 20|) is open in precisely the same fashion as above set down.

A locking bar 2|4 having a longitudinal groove 2 I6 at one end thereof is mounted for rectilinear reciprocation by the pair of walls ZIB, both of which are slotted to receive pins 220. These pins are passed through locking bar 2|4 and carry an arm 222, on the end of which is mounted roller 224. Spring 223 yieldably maintains locking bar 2 I4 and its associated parts in a normal position. illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11.

When a coin 228 is dropped through coin slot 232, it will rest in groove ZIE against the outer edge of ear 238 and a portion of bar 2 I4. When door 233 is lifted, the movement is imparted to locking bar 2 i4 to withdraw shoulder 233 thereof from beneath ear 233. When ear 238 passes below shoulder 23|), coin 22B drops into coin box 232 through passage 234. Cam face 2|@ maintains locking bar 2I4 out of the path -of travel of ear 208 until door 233 has returned to the closed position.

Parts of the portable cooler illustrated in Figs. l2 to 16 inclusive, embody a still further modication of the invention and are usable `on cases constructed precisely as shown in Fig. 6.

Door 334 over delivery opening I I3 of cover |23 is rigid With a hinged cylinder 332, the journalled,

reduced ends of which, in this particular instance, are created by rod 304 having the ends thereof journalled in bearings 335. The arm 338 having a slot 3I|I therein to receive cross pin 3|2 in latch 3 I 4, functions to move said latch into the path of travel of a portion of magazine |32 that may be of conventional form, within the case with which the mechanism being described is combined.

When door 333 is open, cross pin 3I2 will ride along slot 3I to force latch 3I4 into the underlying case, not shown in Figs. 12 to 16.

Hinge cylinder 332 has a laterally extending linger 3|6 integral therewith that carries pins 3I3 to strike shoulder 323 on locking member 322 When a coin 324 is not in place. Thus, the movement of door 333 is limited and unless coin 324 has rst been dropped to the position shown in full lines of Fig. l5, through coin slot 323 in housing 323, the door 334 cannot be opened a suicient distance to withdraw the underlying bottle.

Housing 323 is secured to cover |24 through the medium of a bracket 33E! and bolt 332. Hinge rod 334 passes not only through previously mentioned bearings 335, but through ears 334 integral with housing 328.

When coin 324 is resting in locking member 322, spring 335 is yieldably holding member 322 against the edge of coin 324 to preclude its dropping through passage 333 into coin box 343. Lifting the free edge of do-or 333 will move the end of finger 3|6 against the edge of coin 324 and swing member 322 about its pivotal connection 342 with bracket 344. Locking member 322 has spaced apart parallel walls between which coin 324 lies when as shown in Fig, l5, and tipping is thereby prevented. Continued movement of iinger BIS against coin 324 will flex spring 333 and lift the inclined wall 344 of member 322 away from a position overlying a part of passage 338 until coin` 324 clears the lower edge thereof to drop into box 343.

Obviously, as member 322 is moved toward the position shown in dotted lines of Fig. l5, shoulder 323 will be carried away from the path of travel of pin 358. Shoulder 342 on hinge cylinder 332 strikes stop 344 to limit the opening travel. When coin 324 has escaped into box 343, pins 3|8 will come into friction engagement with edge 348 until the door has been closed, whereupon spring 333 will again yieldably maintain member 322 in the normal position.

As indicated in the objects hereinabove set down, it is desirable to use portable coolers made as described in semi-public locations where those receiving bottles will not attempt to introduce coins of undesired denominations. To render the mechanism just described as effective as possible however, without the employment of expensive slug ejecting equipment, a novel carrier for coins of proper denominations is provided.

A pair of guide rods 353 mounted in housing 328 below coin slot 323 are spaced apart a distance that is slightly less than the diameter of coin 324, which is intended to be used in releasing door 333. A holder 352 slidably mounted on rods 353 is normally set beneath coin slot 326 and there held by springs 354 coiled about each rod 33|) respectively. The spaced apart walls of holder 352 support coin 324 in an upright position and resting upon rods 35|) when a ve cent piece, for example, is dropped through coin slot 326.

Ir" a coin having a diameter smaller than that authorized, is dropped through slot 323, it will be passed between rods 353 and the walls of holder 352, against deiiector 355 and thence out through opening 35S in the side of housing 328. It will slide onto the top of cover Where the depositor may recover the same.

When the proper coin is dropped to rest upon rods 358, plunger 358 is depressed to move holder and coin 352 and 324 respectively, longitudinally along rods 359 until opposed notches I360 are reached. These notches increase the distance between the proximal edges of rods 355 to a dimension greater than the diameter of the proper coin, and therefore, when notches 360 are reached, the coin will drop by gravity between the Walls of locking member 322 to the position shown in full lines of Fig. 15. Thus, it is clear the manner in which a coin of proper denomination is deposited in the working position where it will cooperate with finger 3|6.

The simplicity of the mechanism just described and illustrated in Figs. 12 to 16, render the same desirable and eiective. The cost is 1ow, time consumed in the manufacture and assembly is not prohibitvely great, and the parts are durable and not complicatedall to the end that the portable cooler may be used in transporting bottled goods to the point of sale and there caused to collect consideration for each bottle vended without a great investment.

It is obvious that the broader concepts of this invention might be embodied in equipment having widely varying physical characteristics, and therefore, it is desired not to be conned by details of construction illustrated in the modified forms shown in the accompanying drawings.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. In a delivery cooler of the character described having a delivery opening through which a selected package is withdrawn from the cooler, a door for the opening provided with a coinreceiving notch; a dog, having a cam face thereon, normally in the path of travel of the door to preclude movement thereof to the open position; and means on the door for supporting a coin in the notch, the said coin serving to move the dog out of the normal position as -the door is moved to the open position.

2. In a delivery cooler of the character described having a delivery opening through which a selected package is withdrawn from the cooler, a door for the opening provided with a coin-receiving notch; a dog, having a cam face thereon, normally in the path of travel of the door to preclude movement thereof to the open position; and means on the door for supporting a coin in the notch, the said coin serving to move the dog out of the normal position as the door is moved to the open position, said coin supporting means on the door being formed to drop the coin therefrom when the door is open.

3. In a delivery cooler of the character described having a delivery opening through which a selected package is withdrawn from the cooler, a door for the opening provided with a coinreceiving notch; a dog, having a cam face thereon, normally in the path of travel oi" the door to preclude movement thereof to the open position; and means on the door for supporting a coin in the notch, .the said coin serving to move the dog out of the normal position as the door is moved to the open position, said door having a housing over a portion thereof provided with a slot therein in register with the notch in the door.

4. In a delivery cooler of the character described having a delivery opening through which a selected package is Withdrawn from the cooler, a door for the opening; a notched hinge cylinder on the door; at least one dog normally extending into the notch to preclude movement of the hinge cylinder; and means on the cylinder for holding a coin in place as the hinge cylinder is rotated by movement of the door toward the open position.

5. In a delivery cooler of the character described having delivery opening through which a selected package is withdrawn from the cooler, a door for the opening; a notched hinge cylinder on the door; at least one dog normally extending into the notch to preclude movement of the hinge cylinder; and means on the cylinder for holding a coin in place in the said notch to move the dog out of the normal position as the hinge cylinder is rotated by movement of the door in one direction.

6. In a delivery cooler oi the character described having a delivery opening through which a selected package is Withdrawn from the cooler, a door for the opening; a notched hinge cylinder on the door; at least one dog normally extending into the notch to preclude movement of the hinge cylinder; and means on the cylinder for holding a coin in place to move the dog out of the normal position as the hinge cylinder is rotated by movement of the door toward the open position, said dog having a cam face formed thereon to be engaged by the coin during said rotation of the cylinder.

7. In a delivery cooler of the character described having a delivery opening through which a selected package is withdrawn from the cooler, a `door for `the opening; a notched hinge cylinder on the door; at least one dog normally extending into the notch to preclude movement of thc hinge cylinder; and means on the cylinder for holding a coin in place to move the dog out of the normal position as the hinge cylinder is rotated by movement of the door toward the open position, said dog being maintained in the normal position by the action of gravity.

WALTON C. FERRIS. 

